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LL.M. Discussion Board > United Kingdom - Ireland > Oxford BCL and Cambridge LLM Applicants 2009 
cambridge
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Katharinao 
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 3 |
cambridge
ah, maybe I should have checked the website first...Fri Mar 27, 2009 02:53 PM but maybe for those who were also wondering: www.law.cam.ac.uk/courses/llm-applications-decisio… "The LL.M. Admissions Committee considers applications in two stages. First, there is an initial screening of all applications. At this point, some applications that clearly do not meet the required academic standards will be rejected and a number of expedited offers will begin to be made to clearly outstanding applicants. Second, all remaining applications will be considered and ranked against each other so as to determine when an offer of an LL.M. place will be made. The Law Faculty will finalise all LL.M. application decisions by 15 April 2009 for the 2009-10 LL.M. course. Prior to this time, you can check the status of your application on your online self-service page, which is accessible through the Board of Graduate Studies website. You will receive a username and password for the self service page from the Board of Graduate Studies once they have logged receipt of your application." |
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Paddy Nolan 
Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 38 |
cambridge
Hi awojc,Fri Mar 27, 2009 03:27 PM Balliol is a pretty popular choice for BCL students, although I'm not entirely sure why (even though I listed it as my second choice). It could be a reputation thing, or simply the fact that the Megaron is Oxford's only bar run on The Honour System. Also, Holywell Manor (the primary grad residence) is right across the street from the Law Faculty. Unfortunately I don't know much about college life at Balliol. I made my choices based on food and accommodation and, looking back with hindsight, I'm not sure what if anything I would have done differently. Best of luck! Paddy |
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| Awojc Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 65 |
cambridge
Thanks PADDY.
Fri Mar 27, 2009 03:30 PM |
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AlvinSee  Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 242 |
cambridge - October -March??
Fri Mar 27, 2009 04:02 PM Hey AlvinSee, Thanks Paddy! I have also read that the accommodation at Merton is the best and is also probably the cheapest. Can you tell me a little about this? |
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| Paddy Nolan
Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 38 |
cambridge - October -March??
Hi AlvinSee,Fri Mar 27, 2009 05:50 PM The price of accommodation at Merton is fairly reasonable compared with other colleges. I believe grad students next year should expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of 4000-4500 pounds for the full 12 months. While the quality of the accommodation is highly variable within Merton (ranging from single rooms to one bedroom mini-suites to shared houses - all assigned randomly in your first year), even the worst that Merton has to offer is still better than most of the grad accommodation at other colleges. Perhaps this is why no one ever seems to leave their rooms here... Happy to answer any other questions. Cheers, Paddy |
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| Jeremy Bentham
Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 47 |
cambridge - October -March??
With regard to Cambridge Ms Wade told me that I would hopefully have a decision by the end of this week. However it's past 6 o'clock so I doubt that will happen! Next week folks! It is nerve wracking but I have been accepted to UCL and LSE for criminal law so that eases the pain to a great extent. Any thoughts on which of the 2 i should take in the likely event Cam say thanks but no thanks old chap?
Fri Mar 27, 2009 06:22 PM |
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| S_Dimelow Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 157 |
cambridge - October -March??
Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:14 PM I know this might sound strange considering the posts made in this forum: But has Cambridge Law Faculty already sent out offers? My Status in CamSIS is still on "applicant" and when I called the Graduate Board today I was informed that no offers have been made by Cambridge Law Faculty so far. Hi Katharinao I think you may know the answer by now but if not, here are my thoughts. The law faculty have made offers already- I've no idea how many but the first lot came out in the 2nd week of Feb and a few odds and sods came out last week. I guess that is the whole 'outstanding apps will get early offer' thing coupled with the decisions they are now making, having evaluated the maybe pile. The reason the Graduate Board believe no offers have been made is probably because the paperwork hasn't been sent over by the law faculty yet and so, as far as they know, nothing has been confirmed. I don't think anyone from the Feb acceptance has had a change in CamSIS yet, I know I haven't, or a letter yet so don't be concerned about that. Hopefully, good news will be round the corner for you. Good luck! On a more personal note, that probably means we haven't been forwarded on for college places yet!! Damn!! Paddy, I don't know if you'll be able to answer another college question which is unrelated to your own but I've applied to Keble (1st choice) and Worcester (2nd)- out of interest, do you know much about them? They don't appear to be popular choices for BCL students (no doubt because they don't offer any funding) but I liked the look of their accommodation and library facilities if I remember rightly- oh, and something about Worcester's gardens being the 'well kept secret of Oxford' or some such thing. Oh, and as a second batch of questions- out of the research students in the law school, have a lot of them stayed on from the BCL to your knowledge? And if you do stay on from the BCL, A) are you expected to have graduated with distinction from it (all it says on the website is “Admission to the MPhil is conditional upon good performance in the BCL”)? and B) is it any easier to track down funding through the uni/AHRC if attacking study in this way? Or is it, as I suspect, still hugely competitive? I remember looking at the Cambridge research student’s backgrounds and not many of them had stayed on from the LLM which I was perhaps a little surprised/disappointed about and, if everything ties in, I quite like the way Ox advertise the MPhil option as a viable and accepted route onto DPhil. I recognise you may not be able to help but I thought I'd give it a shot. Cheers! |
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| cello
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 |
cambridge - October -March??
I don't know much about the BCL itself but I thought I could share some info about the colleges...Sat Mar 28, 2009 09:09 AM Merton- It's a very nice college albeit quite small (I myself, so prefer smaller colleges). Rooms are huge in comparison to other colleges but since priority is given to undergrads, it's very likely that even if you're accepted into the college, you'll have to find your own accommodation outside college grounds... or stay in one of Merton's housing accom. Mertons has it's reputation of academic excellence. Some friends of mine were under a bit of a pressure when they were there... but it's personal preference I think. May be you'd like it. Balliol- Small as well but a very nice college. City center so you don't walk as far to the Law Department. Some do say because many public school students go there, the college might not be the most friendly on to be in... but I myself has never had a bad experience with Balliol. Very nice chapel as well. Keble- Very different. Your either love it or hate it; I belong to the first category. It's next to the University Park as well so it's very nice in the summer. Keble's grounds itself is nice, one of the nicer larger colleges imo. Drawback is that it is so far away. People there are nice as well. Worcester- Nice college, nice garden, medium sized. Out of the 4 I probably would choose this one. Central enough so you could walk everywhere but it's a bit hidden so not many tourists visits as well. Very nice people and nicest food, imo, out of the 4 colleges. I'd recommend New, Exeter, Magdalene (many law students I know goes there) as well. |
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| S_Dimelow Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 157 |
cambridge - October -March??
Thanks very much, that's very kind. Strangley enough, I visited Oxford back in October to get a idea of the place and didn't end up visiting either Keble or Worcester- everythings based on webstites and online guides etc. Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:03 AM In regard to Keble, I love the look of the architecture. It's certainly very striking and although out of kilter with a lot of the well known medieval colleges, very charimastic. I didn't really comprehend the size of the student body at the college but I guess that will create a vibrant community. Based on maps, I knew it was a little further out but I didn't see it as being too far- not as bad as somewhere like St Annes (I think) which does look a long way out. I know much less about Worcester so that's good news. Good food and nice people sound about perfect. Actually, Exeter was on my shortlist, along with Wadham and Lincoln and Brasenose if I remember rightly. I did visit Magdalene but thought it might be a really competitive one to get into and I tried my best to pick 2 which I thought would prevent some random drop into a grad only college or similar. Turns out, Merton is the one on everyones list! [Edited by S_Dimelow on 28 Mar 2009] |
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Cedric  Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 206 |
cambridge - October -March??
Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:13 AM Thanks very much, that's very kind. Strangley enough, I visited Oxford back in October to get a idea of the place and didn't end up visiting either Keble or Worcester- everythings based on webstites and online guides etc. One wonders if the Merton BCL/MJur full scholarship has anything to with that :) ;) --- |
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| S_Dimelow Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 157 |
cambridge - October -March??
Oh, I think your exaclty right Cederic. Probably the most generous college to BCL/MJUR students from what I can see. Still, it's quite funny that everyone puts themself forward for that but think to go with St Anne's as a first choice, probably because it's a little less fashionable, where they would have a massive chance of getting something. They offer 2 £2000 or £3000 BCL scholarships I think. Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:52 AM Although, saying that, I decided against applying for Hughes Hall at Cam even though they seemed to say they give LLM students who put them down as first choice and take up their place £1000. |
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| inspired
Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Posts: 25 |
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I would like to draw your attention to the Facebook groups of the BCL/Mjur and Cambridge LLM. If you get in please join us.Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:54 AM BCL/MJur 2009/2010 www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=60060… Cambridge LLM 2009/2010 www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=75890… See you in the UK! |
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| Jeremy Bentham
Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 47 |
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Unsuccessful at Cambridge Suzanne Wade just mailed me:(. Oh well life goes on, I didn\'t expect to get in and I have my UCL and LSE offers for Criminal LLM. Any thoughts on which to go for? Is LSE\'s lib really way better? Hearty congrats to everyone who got into Oxbridge, enjoy what will be a great year! This board has been very interesting and enjoyable throughout the application process
Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:00 PM |
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| cello
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 |
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Cornor- I'm sorry to hear that, and congrats on your LSE/UCL offers. Do you mind me asking whether you emailed Cambridge to ask for the decision?
Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:10 PM |
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| Jeremy Bentham
Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 47 |
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I e mailed miss wade earlier this week and she said she would get back to me as soon as a decision was available, which was today, So Cam is working sat for us LLMers! She is very nice so send her a friendly earnest mail and im sure she will do her best for you! Good luck!
Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:19 PM |
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| Paddy Nolan
Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 38 |
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Hi S_Dimelow,Sat Mar 28, 2009 03:40 PM Unfortunately, I don't know a thing about either Worchester or Keble. Sorry. With regards to Oxford's 'research pyramid', the Faculty's preferred option is for students to progress through the BCL - MPHIL - DPHIL. I believe it sets that out on the website somewhere. That said, there seems to be a pretty diverse mix of routes taken to the DPHIL. Cello - Your info on Merton accommodation is actually incorrect. For the past several years all first year grads who wanted it received Merton graduate accommodation. I believe that trend is likely to continue this year. Also, Merton grads are not in competition with undergrads for rooms. We have our residences, they have theirs. Cheers to all, Paddy |
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| AlvinSee Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 242 |
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Thanks a lot Paddy. Your comments have been very helpful.
Sat Mar 28, 2009 03:55 PM |
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| LLM Hunter
Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 20 |
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Sat Mar 28, 2009 05:08 PM Unsuccessful at Cambridge Suzanne Wade just mailed me:(. Oh well life goes on, I didn\'t expect to get in and I have my UCL and LSE offers for Criminal LLM. Any thoughts on which to go for? Is LSE\'s lib really way better? Hearty congrats to everyone who got into Oxbridge, enjoy what will be a great year! This board has been very interesting and enjoyable throughout the application process Conor, I emailed Wade twice, first and third week of March, but no response from her. What should i do? |
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| Jeremy Bentham
Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 47 |
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Thats odd as she got back to me quite quickly. I'd say there is nothing to be lost with a quick phone call. Good luck!
Sat Mar 28, 2009 05:21 PM |
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| HRoark Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Posts: 69 |
Pyramid
I can confirm from personal experience that going directly to the DPhil (or rather, starting as a PRS) without a BCL/MPhil is possible, although Paddy may know better than I how often this course is taken.Sat Mar 28, 2009 06:33 PM On a different note, anyone have thoughts about Univ and Lincoln? They're my 1 and 2, respectively. [Edited by HRoark on 28 Mar 2009] |
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| Paddy Nolan
Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 38 |
Pyramid
Hey HRoark,Sat Mar 28, 2009 06:48 PM I went directly into the DPhil, and I actually think there are a fairly significant number of us who did. That said, I haven't got any hard data and I'm not at all sure what the faculty means when they say they prefer candidates to take the BCL-MPHIL-DPHIL route. Cheers, Paddy NB: Don't know too much about Lincoln, but its library is in what appears to be a de-consecrated church. Cool. |
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| S_Dimelow Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 157 |
Thanks!
Thanks Paddy. I'd noticed the pyramid on the faculty's research pages and was just wondering how often the BCL acted as a route in. I know a couple of people who have used it that way but it's good to know you are welcome to transfer across as well, in case I end up at Cam next year. Cheers!
Sat Mar 28, 2009 08:16 PM |
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| HRoark Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Posts: 69 |
Thanks!
Thanks from me as well Paddy. I hope you'll be around next year. I may need someone to show me the ropes and figure out what kind of gown to buy!
Sat Mar 28, 2009 08:31 PM |
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| Journey09
Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Posts: 1 |
question about the English test requirement
Hey all,Sun Mar 29, 2009 04:47 AM Nice to follow up with this post. I received an offer for the MJur program via email a couple of days before. The offer requires me to satisfy one condition, namely completion of my current degree. However, I am not a native English speaker and I applied to Oxford with a Toefl IBT score of 105, which does not meet the requirement of a IBT score of 109 as the minimum. But the offer does not require me to resit for a English test. Is there anyone who is under the same circumstances? Do you think that my English test score has already been deemed satisfactory? Thanks in advance. |
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| Cedric Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 206 |
cambridge - October -March??
Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:06 AM Oh, I think your exaclty right Cederic. Probably the most generous college to BCL/MJUR students from what I can see. Still, it's quite funny that everyone puts themself forward for that but think to go with St Anne's as a first choice, probably because it's a little less fashionable, where they would have a massive chance of getting something. They offer 2 £2000 or £3000 BCL scholarships I think. I applied at Hughes Hall and one doesn't automatically get 1000 pounds. It's a normal scholarship competition for 2 £ 1000 bursaries... --- |
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